India captain Rohit Sharma announces retirement from Test cricket
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In 67 Tests, Rohit Sharma scored 4,301 runs including 12 centuries with a best of 212 against South Africa in 2019 and an average of over 40.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW DELHI – India captain Rohit Sharma on May 7 announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the team’s tour of England starting in June, but will continue to play the shorter 50-over format.
In 67 Tests, Rohit scored 4,301 runs including 12 centuries with a best of 212 against South Africa in 2019 and an average of over 40. He captained India in 24 Tests with 12 wins, nine defeats and three draws.
“Hello everyone I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format,” the 38-year-old Rohit wrote on Instagram.
Rohit, who quit T20 internationals along with Virat Kohli after India’s World Cup triumph in Barbados in 2024, recently led the team to an ODI Champions Trophy title in Dubai. He is currently playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament with Mumbai Indians and has endured a patchy season so far, scoring 300 runs in 11 matches.
Rohit’s last Test was in Melbourne in 2024 when India lost to Australia by 184 runs. He stood down as captain in the fifth Test in Sydney due to poor batting form, but India went on to lose the match and the five-match series 2-1.
Jasprit Bumrah was Rohit’s deputy in Australia and led the team in the first Test, which Rohit missed due to the birth of his second child, and the final Test.
Rohit managed just 31 runs in five innings of his three outings Down Under and the Indian media speculated that he could retire from Test cricket after the series.
The captain, nicknamed “Hitman” for getting to big scores quickly – especially in white-ball, also had a poor home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand in late 2024.
Rohit’s India won both the Tests against Bangladesh, but New Zealand handed a rare 3-0 whitewash to the hosts.
Rohit began his Test career in 2013, but it was five years later that he came into his own in the five-day format as a swashbuckling opener and later took over as captain from Kohli.
“As player and as captain, you were a joy and India will say a big thank you to you,” veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle posted on social media.
“That century in Chennai, that one at the Oval, both priceless. You walked out against South Africa to open as if you had done it all your life. Will look forward to watching and, hopefully calling, some more great moments in your ODI career.”
India will begin a five-Test series in England in June-July and the team now need a new Test skipper.
India’s cricket board said: “Rohit Sharma has informed us of his decision to retire from Test cricket. A legend of the red-ball game. We will soon announce a new Test captain – it’s time for the next generation to rise.”
Top-order batter Shubman Gill and pace spearhead Bumrah are locked in a two-horse race to be India’s next Test captain, with former India captain Anil Kumble hoping to see Bumrah lead India in England with Gill as his deputy.
“Maybe just for this series (against England) with Bumrah and then see how his fitness is,” Kumble told ESPNcricinfo.
“I know it’s not easy being a fast bowler... He’s had injuries... Every Indian would like to see Bumrah play all the Test matches, but his body may not allow it. Whenever that happens, the vice-captain comes in and takes over.”
The 31-year-old Bumrah’s workload, however, is likely to tilt the balance in favour of the 25-year-old Gill, who has proved his leadership quality in the ongoing IPL where he has led Gujarat Titans to the top of the points table. AFP, REUTERS
